Capsule Brewing Assembly With Used Capsule Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In brewing assemblies for beverage preparation using capsules, the used capsule often remains attached to the locating part due to perforation by the perforating member or 'gluing' action of beverage residues, preventing it from falling by gravity when the movable part transitions from the closed to the open position.

Innovation Solution

A disengagement member protruding from the movable part is designed to interfere with the used capsule during its movement, ensuring detachment from the locating part and allowing the capsule to fall by gravity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the movable part simply moves from closed to open position, then the brewing function is completed, but the used capsule remains attached to the locating part and does not fall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapsule removalVSAvoidcapsule detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The disengagement member performs a preliminary action by interfering with the capsule during the pivoting movement to detach it from the locating part before the capsule needs to fall by gravity. This preliminary detachment action prevents the capsule from remaining stuck due to perforation or beverage residue adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The disengagement member acts as an intermediary element between the movable part and the capsule. It protrudes axially beyond the cup-shaped body and interferes with the capsule to facilitate detachment, serving as a mediator that enables reliable capsule removal without requiring direct manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the perforating member penetrates inside the capsule, then water injection and beverage preparation is enabled, but the capsule is retained by the perforating member after dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage dispensingVSAvoidcapsule removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The disengagement member performs a preliminary detachment action during the pivoting movement, interfering with the capsule while it is still attached to the locating part. This preliminary action separates the capsule from the perforating member before the capsule needs to be removed, preventing retention issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The disengagement member extracts the capsule from the locating part by interfering with it during the pivoting movement. This extraction action removes the capsule from the perforating member's grip, enabling clean separation and subsequent gravity-driven falling into the collection zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If beverage residues are present, then beverage preparation is completed, but the capsule remains attached due to gluing action

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage preparationVSAvoidcapsule detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The disengagement member performs a preliminary detachment action during the pivoting movement, interfering with the capsule before it can be affected by beverage residue adhesion. This timing ensures that the capsule is detached while the movable part is still in motion, preventing the gluing action from securing the capsule to the locating part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The disengagement member acts as an intermediary that physically interferes with the capsule to break the adhesion caused by beverage residues. By protruding axially and contacting the capsule during pivoting, it mediates the separation between the capsule and the locating part, overcoming the gluing effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The disengagement member effectively prevents capsule retention, ensuring reliable removal and simplifying the brewing process by allowing used capsules to fall into a collection zone.

Implementation Method 1

a disengagement member protruding axially beyond the cup-shaped body towards the cooperating locating part is fixed to the movable part, said disengagement member being configured and arranged such that during the subsequent movement of the movable part the path of said member is able to interfere with the used capsule which may be still attached to the locating part so as to cause it to be detached therefrom

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

after preparation of a beverage, the used capsule is generally removed, falling by means of gravity, when the movable part passes from the closed position into the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2747613B1Brewing assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages using capsules
Publication Date: 2015.09.23 LUIGI LAVAZZA SPA
  • EP2747613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2747613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2747613B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The brewing assembly (1 ) comprises a support structure (2) which is operationally stationary and in which is mounted: a movable part (4) including a cup-shaped body (5) in which there is defined a receptacle (6) suitable for receiving a capsule (C) or the like containing a substance for the preparation of a beverage. Said movable part (4) is movable between an open and a closed position. When passing from the closed position to the open position the movable part (4) performs an initial movement away from a locating part (9) and a subsequent movement during which it substantially pivots about an at least approximately horizontal transverse axis. A disengagement member (30) protruding axially beyond the cup-shaped body (5) towards the locating part (9) is fixed to the movable part (4) and is configured and arranged such that during the subsequent pivoting movement of the movable part (4) its path is able to interfere with a used capsule (C) which may be still attached to the locating part (9) so as to cause it to be detached therefrom.